This small park is in the West Settlers Historic District in Delray Beach. Originally called the…read moresands for it's sandy soil, it was established in 1894 as the first African American community in Delray Beach. Settlers came from north and west Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in order to work in the agriculture industry. The neighborhood is located from NW 2nd Ave to NE 6th Ave. Houses are in the frame vernacular style, bungalow, and mission revival styles that were popular in the 1920's. The neighborhood was added to the Local Register of Historic Places in 1997. Originally developed by the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, as a result of the 2002 Downtown Master Plan, the park was named the West Atlantic Plaza before being renamed in August of 2012 in honor of Elizabeth "Libby" Jackson Wesley, a longtime resident and community activist. Born in DeFuniak Springs Florida, Libby moved to Delray Beach where she worked as a substitute teacher before becoming a full-time employee with the Palm Beach County School District, where she had a 37-year career. Mother to four children, Libby Wesley has dedicated her life to her family and volunteer work. Some of the many organizations she worked with include the Delray Beach Rotary Club, the Urban League of Palm Beach County, the NAACP, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In Delray Beach, In 1978 she was the co-founder of the Roots Cultural Festival, which ran for over twenty years and has now been turned from a one day event into year-round programming and a summer weekend festival celebrating African American culture. Awards Libby Wesley has received include the Old School Square Lifetime Achievement Award; the Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club of Delray Beach; the JM Family Enterprises African American Achiever's Award; the Sojourner Truth Award; and the Sun Sentinel Publisher's Award. Park amenities include native landscaping, a small outdoor stage, benches, and a bike rack. There are two public art art works in the plaza. Endurance is a steal and mosaic glass installation celebrating the Caribbean pioneers who came to this area to farm and fish. The west side of the park shares a wall with a building on which is painted a red and white mural by David Paul Kay which includes as frog as a nod to Delray Beach's Frog Alley. Frog Alley is a street that had a nickname that has now been recognized officially by the city. Frog Alley is in the West Settlers Historic District and it was settled by Bahamians. When it would rain, the street would flood attracting a chorus of frogs. I discovered Libby Wesley Plaza while grabbing lunch at the Bear Snack Shack next door. This isn't what you would typically think of as a park. It is more of a plaza where the community can gather to celebrate events and performances in the city. For instance a weekly Zumba class is held here. This plot of land also honors the history of the Caribbean pioneers who settled Delray Beach when it was nothing more than a mosquito filled swamp.

There is an abundance of park land in this corner of Palm Beach County. The large 51.23 acre…read moreGreenacres Freedom Park is right across the street from the 1,700 acre Okeeheelee Park. Whatever outdoor recreation you favor, you can find it in this area. If you have a shorter amount of time I would recommend Freedom Park over Okeeheelee. There is still plenty to do here at Freedom Park. My favorite part of this park is the exercise path that runs along the perimeter of scenic wetlands that attract common moorhens, ducks, and egrets. There is even outdoor exercise machines for more cardio and muscle building. This part of the park is perfect for nature lovers. For children ,there is a really colorful and fun covered playground area, a bankshot basketball court, and a storywalk that has different stations that brings together the joy of reading and being outdoors. Stations are installed along trails and children and their families can stop and read and ask and answer questions. Storywalks like this one promote literacy and outdoor exercise while fostering family bonding. Other park amenities include restrooms, a lighted soccer field, concession area, grills, picnic shelter, and a popular pickleball court. One of the standouts of this park is how spacious it feels which allows room for events, parties, and sports. The park is cleaned and well maintained with ample parking. This is the kind of park that will equally appeal to those looking for a peaceful place to unwind as well as those looking to be active. With a wide range of activities available for residents and visitors, there is something for all ages to enjoy.

This is a large city park (just over 50 acres) centered around a beautiful lake in the middle…read more It is open until 10 pm. And very popular with all sorts of groups and families. It was formerly called pinehurst park due to the street it's located on. The street is west of and parallels Jog Road, but it is a quieter less developed drive lined with pine trees. It's a perfect preliminary and pretty bit of nature -- before you enter the park. There are quite a number of facilities at the park including several athletic/soccer fields (4?), picnic pavilions (available for rent), a children's playground that has a rain cover, a colorful basketball court (for kids) with nets of all different heights, benches, walking paths (a parkour), and pickle ball courts. And I've probably missed a few... You can be as active as you'd like, or just sit and relax and watch the water or enjoy nature. I'm definitely coming back here when I have more time.

One of the last projects of Addison Mizner's storied architectural career resides in the center of…read morethe town of Palm Beach. Mizner moved to the area in 1918 and that same year he completed his first project, The Everglades Club. He was well known for his use of the Mediterranean style in his buildings which proliferated all over Palm Beach and Boca over the next decade. During the Great Depression the Memorial Fountain Commission chaired by Harold S. Vanderbilt, commissioned a fountain from Addison Mizner. It was presented in 1929 to the Town of Palm Beach as a "gift for its residents." Mizner based his design of the Fountain of the Sea Horses, an 18th century art piece created by Christopher Unterberget at the Villa Borghese in Rome Italy. The double bowl cast stone fountain features four mythical seahorses also called hippocamps from Greek and Roman mythology. The fountain is located at the end of linear plaza passive park which also contains reflecting pools, walkways, and palm trees. The park was dedicated in 1925 to the memory of Henry M. Flagler who brought the railroad and development to Florida and Elisha N. Dimick who opened the first hotel in Palm Beach, the Cocoanut Grove House in 1880. A World War II memorial plaque was added in 1985. In 2017 the fountain was restored for 1.5 million dollars and it won a national public works award. Experts were brought in from all over North America and the fountain was taken apart in pieces and the hippocamps were trucked to Ontario, Canada while other parts of the fountain were repaired in Delray Beach, and the base was fixed onsite. Once finished, the fountain won the top prize on the category of historical restoration projects that cost less than 5 million. The fountain was the start of the 7.9 million dollar Town Square restoration project that began in February of 2015 and was completed in December of that year. Today the fountain is a well known Palm Beach landmark and it is a popular photography spot. In fact on the day I visited it was being used by a wedding party. If you can't get to Italy you can at least experience a little bit of European design in Palm Beach, thanks to the talented Addison Mizner.

This is a beautiful fountain park only wish I could have sat at this park but with the corona virus…read more,it best to just view it quickly. If you can come and see it one day . Dedicated by the Memorial Fountain Commission in 1929 and located in the commercial heart of the Town of Palm Beach, the plaza was presented to the town by Harold S. Vanderbilt, its chairman, "as a gift from its residents." The design was by local architect Addison Mizner. Mizner moved to Palm Beach in 1918 and later that year completed his first commission, the Everglades Club. For the next decade, his celebrated Mediterranean Revival style would proliferate in Palm Beach and Boca Raton with commissions also in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Memorial Fountain Park, realized during the Great Depression, was one of his last commissions. The design is a simple linear plaza with a central reflecting pool lined by walks, tightly clipped hedges and evenly spaced palms. On the upper terrace is a central fountain, inspired by the Fountain of the Sea Horses, an 18th century work by Christopher Unterberger at the Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy. Twin sets of staircases running the entire width of the plaza provide access to the upper terrace. The lower staircase on axis with the fountain has a central rill spilling into the pool. The plaza is punctuated by alcoves and walls for seating, and entrance piers with urns marking the arrival to the upper terrace and lower plaza. A World War II memorial plaque was added in 1985.

Oakmont Park is a passive park in the Oakmont subdivision of Delray Beach. Oakmont is a…read moreneighborhood of 60 single family homes off of Linton Blvd. Oakmont Park isn't your typical Delray Beach Park. It is more of a tiny natural area set in the middle of the neighborhood. It has a small gravel parking lot and six picnic tables. At first glance there isn't much here but after looking around I discovered that someone had put a few beautiful orchids in the trees and further back I found some banana plants along with newly planted trees. Oddly dogs are not allowed in the park so you can't even use this park to walk your dog. It looks like it should been a lot for a house. You might be able to have a picnic here if you live in the neighborhood but I can't see any other use for it. If you are looking for a place to take the kids to play go to the nearby Orchard View Park or if you want a place to hike try Delray Oaks Natural Area.

Great place to visit. Plan your hike and go.. Authentic…read morenatural habitat for gopher turtles and furry woodland creatures .

Eco Park is a nature preserve in the 550 acre Quantum Corporate Park. In 2020 it was the largest…read moreundeveloped tract left in the city. It was purchased with the goal of transforming it into a residential, retail, entertainment, and industrial complex. The park is named in honor of long time Boynton Beach real estate breaker Thomas Albert McGillicuddy (1936-2019). The 60 acre Eco Park was created in 1988 when Quantum Park Plat #3 was filed with the County. 23 acres were designated as an active park and the rest off the park is a natural upland pine flatland preserve. The park has a large parking lot and natural earth trails that a run a mile and half throughout the park. During my visit I first took the trail along the water where I saw common moorhens swimming. The trail then curved back into the pineland preserve where I saw threatened gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises have been hunted for meat, run over by vehicles, and sold as pets but the greatest blow to their population has been the destruction of their habitat. It was so nice to see them safely protected in the park. I really enjoyed my hike here today. The city has asked residents for ideas on what amenities they would like added to the park. Hopefully kayak launches, picnic pavilions, restrooms, paved trails and a boardwalk will be added to increase the recreational use of the park.

Beautifully renovated in 2013, this Park is one of the crown jewels of the county coastline. The…read moreold roads & sidewalks are finally vehicle- & pedestrian-friendly. I think the amenities here are very good:: long paved walkway with benches, restrooms, shower, oceanfront children's play area, & picnic tables. I noticed more families here with their coolers, chairs, umbrellas, etc. From the highway I can always see the historic Lake Worth Casino building, an icon since the 1920s, adjacent to the park & the beach. It has been converted into a 3,000 sq. ft. ballroom ~ the perfect venue for weddings & other special events. Almost every time I'm there I see someone walk up to the door, read the sign, & then leave, because they think it's still a casino! It anchors a shopping center with restaurants (including pizza & ice cream) & an Olympic-size outdoor Municipal pool, all open to the beach with perfect views. I spend more time here because I can throw on my coverup & take a break to eat & shop. Always remember to feed the meter @ the parks & beaches in Palm Beach County. Parking is $2 per hour. Kiosk takes Quarters or a Debit or Credit Card. It does not take paper money. There is a minimum of 2 hours / $4. Print the Receipt & lay it on your dashboard. Do not let your time expire ~ here or anywhere else.

Alice Mickens Park is located in the historic Northwest neighborhood in West Palm Beach. In the…read more1920's this neighborhood was booming after WWI and it was made up of impressive homes owned by affluent middle class blacks. One such home was the Mickens house which was a destination of black scholars and intellectuals and visitors who were refused lodging at nearby hotels. These included Count Basie and Louis Armstrong when they were performing in the area. Other notable people who came here to meet with the Mickens family included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ralph Bunche, Asa Philip Randolph, who organized the first predominantly Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach in 1929, who came to West Palm Beach to raise money and persuade the state Legislature to build a home for young Black women who would have otherwise been put in prison. Alice Mickens passed away in 1988 at the age of 99. She lived by the mantra "Service is the price you pay for the stint you have on earth." Alice Mickens was sixth and youngest child of former slaves from South Carolina. Dr. Mickens was born in Bartow, but moved to West Palm Beach at an early age. She was an honors graduate from Spelman College in Atlanta. Later in life Mickens served as a trustee at Bethune-Cookman for more than three decades and received an honorary doctorate from the university. A science lecture hall there is named in her honor. Dr. Alice Mickens may be best remembered as a pioneer for black voting rights. Dr. Moore's 1917 home built by her husband Haley Mickens and which has the distinction of being the oldest home continuously owned by a black and the Northwest neighborhood are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through the years the neighborhood deteriorated but exciting things are happening. The city is in the process of identifying historic structures and drafting plans that include residential spaces and a restaurant. Some of the construction is happening across the street from the park. Alice Mickens Park offers am acre of recreational space in the midst of this historic neighborhood. Park amenities include a shade covered playground with areas for toddlers and older children, a full size basketball court, and benches. This park is the heart of a historic community in transmission. As a champion of historic preservation, I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds.

The Edward F. Hamening Arbor Memorial Park is located in front of the East Water Treatment Plant…read morein Boynton Beach at the corner of Seacrest Boulevard and Woolbright Road. Arbor Park was renamed in honor of Edward F. Harmening,, a longtime mayor over 3 decades and community leader of Boynton Beach. He ran for office six times and never lost an election. Mr. Harmening passed away in 1995 from ALS. Edward F. Hamening Arbor Memorial Park is a passive park, There is a paved walkway and native trees planted in honor of prominent Boynton Beach residents. There are also benches which are mainly used by people waiting to catch the bus. The other prominent feature of the park is the large public art piece, Water, You, and I that was created to educate people on where their drinking water comes from. The art piece can be found on the side of the park where it sits adjacent to the East Water Treatment Plant. The park is mainly used by people passing through but I like how the city transformed a nondescript corner into a green space with memorials and art.